“Stereophonic”: Music Exposes Bullies & Honors Heroes—at The Curran
The First National Tour Cast of Stereophonic. Photos by Julieta Cervantes
David Adjmi Mixes 70s Rock’n’Roll with American Bosses
by Barry David Horwitz
In a beautiful wood and glass studio in Sausalito, 70s rock’n’roll drama unfolds under a microscope. The women singers are exploited as they try to produce heartfelt songs, while fearful sound engineers deal with coke-addled bosses. David Adjmi’s Best Play of 2024 exposes their unforgettable struggle for dignity and independence.
In “Stereophonic,” co-produced by ACT and BroadwaySF, David Zinn’s magnificent wood paneled studio finds two young engineers struggling against odds to make the music work. The harried pair at the huge sound console juggle the male singers’ wild demands, supplying them with cocaine from “the sack.” At first it’s all wonderfully funny nostalgia, but soon it’s clearly abuse.
“Stereophonic” shows the nitty-gritty of creating commercial music. Adjmi tears the veil from the gaslighting that men in charge use to oppresses the women and workers. Director Daniel Aukin makes every scene, movement, and riff dynamic and compelling.
The unique “play with music” mixes astounding, rapid-fire dialogue with breathtaking dramatic pauses.
Claire DeJean, Emilie Kouatchou, and Denver Milord
When fragile Diana (superb Claire DeJean) sings Will Butler’s haunting song “Bright,” we are smitten by her voice and her bravery. She sings to escape being “forced” by her domineering husband, Peter (powerful Denver Milord). Diana finally flies free, finding her own way, a thrilling musical moment.
Both Diana and Holly inspire us by finding their humanity in the face of fame-obsessed, ruthless men. As female singer and pianist, Holly sticks with Diane as they face down assaults from deluded, drugged men.
These titanic conflicts unfold while the music contains their pain. Based partly on Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumors,” “Stereophonic” deserves its great acclaim for daring to display the cost of creativity in a narcissistic culture.
Sadistic bosses bully their “inferiors” and excuse it in the name of art. When Peter viciously lashes out at his subordinate sound guy Grover (sympathetic Jack Barrett), the fearful employee has to bear his wrath. Peter may be talented, but he’s a hellish dictator. As Grover, Barrett delivers a unique, best-of-show worker’s tirade at incredible top speed!
Grover and his sidekick Charlie (hilarious Steven Lee Johnson) deliver astounding monologues as they tremble under Peter, the Bully-in-Chief.
Jack Barrett and Steven Lee Johnson
The show reflects today’s imbalance and inequality that splits us into warring camps. The singer/producer bosses treat their “subordinates” like shit.
Diana slowly becomes aware of Peter’s obsessive menace, marking an extraordinary history of sexual domination. Diana realizes that Peter is indeed “forcing” her to do his will in their marriage, and in their music.
Milord’s Peter has a thousand-mile stare and is driven by greed and competition. DeJean’s Diana brilliantly finds her way toward wholeness.
Egotistical Peter tries the same tricks with stoic British drummer Simon (brilliant Cornelius McMoyler), who struggles to keep his tempo. Simon captures our hearts with an astounding slow burn.
The band’s founder, Reg (electrifying Christopher Mowod), kicks his coke and booze habits just in time to deliver an hilarious monologue about Sausalito. Reg confronts his past selfishness in a stunning scene with his partner Holly.
If you want to know what male toxicity means and how it works in the ‘70s music biz, this is the play for you. And we all know the gaslighting still goes on. With Diana, Holly, and Grover lighting the way, “Stereophonic” invokes a revolutionary story for our past and future. Don’t miss it.
“Stereophonic” by David Adjmi, original music by Will Butler, directed by Daniel Aukin, scenic design by David Zinn, costumes by Enver Chakartash, lighting by Jiyoun Chang, sound by Ryan Rumery, by ACT & BroadwaySF, at The Curran Theatre, San Francisco.
Info: broadwaysf.com – to November 23, 2025.
Cast: Jack Barrett, Claire DeJean, Steven Lee Johnson, Emilie Kouatchou, Cornelius McMoyler, Denver Milord, and Christopher Mowod.